Thinking About Worship

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

1 Corinthians 14:40

Those who lead the church in it’s worship are called to lead in a way that

is faithful to Scripture, Christ exalting, and humbly directed by the Holy Spirit so that God’s people are not entertained, but are instead helped to set their minds and hearts more fully on what God has done in Christ through the Gospel.  The result of this God-ward focus, is that the church is better able to respond to Him with appropriate actions of praise, gladness, repentance, prayer, confession, singing, trusting, and all other expressions of worship that arise from a living faith.  With that kind of worship in mind, I have been thinking a lot lately about what biblical worship in the church should be like.  I have likewise invited Nevin, as Elder in Training, and Stuart, as our Intern for Worship to do the same, so that the three of us can come together and prayerfully consider how we might provide more faithful leadership in this area.  Would you join us in praying for wisdom in this matter?

One clear principle from Scripture, in 1 Corinthians 14:40, is that our times of worship must be “proper” and “in order.”.  I take that to mean that they must be well-planned and led in such a way that the distractions of disorder and confusion are kept to a minimum while the truth of the Gospel is kept in the forefront.  It is that undistracted focus on Christ and His Word that will free us to respond to Him with genuine expressions of worship.

In the coming weeks, I will be giving instructions and guidelines that I hope will help us “order” our worship in an increasingly God-honoring fashion.  I ask that you join me in praying and seeking the Lord as we try to think and plan biblically so that every aspect of our weekly gathering in God’s presence will serve to encourage the body and exalt the Savior.  

Serving the One Who is Worthy of Our Worship!

Pastor Scott

What Am I?

I rediscovered this brief "poem" of mine recently, while rummaging through some old computer files.   I remember writing it back in college, oh so long ago.   It was shortly after I'd come to faith in Christ, and I was trying to work through how different my view about ultimate destinies had become now that I was a Christian, as opposed to what I had once believed when I was edging near the borders of atheism.   I do not claim that this is great literature by an stretch! But the thoughts expressed here still ring true to my mind.

WHAT AM I?

What am I?

Some absurd ape taken in by a grand illusion
of false grandeur?

Or am I a child of a loving Creator-God
formed from dust into his everlasting image.

Is my life wrapped up in a sad delusion?

A delusion that will pitiably end in the sticky
black darkness of death?

Or am I destined to serve my King,
to serve my King in eternal, heavenly glory?

But I know in Whom I have believed,
And I am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I have entrusted to Him
Until that final day.

Yes Lord, I am Yours.
Amen.

Multiply

Join us Friday, November 9th at 7 pm at Rockport Baptist Church 3761 Telegraph Road in Arnold, MO for The Multiply Event

Two Great Responses to the Southern Baptist "Statement"

I have really wanted to respond to the so-called "Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist View of Salvation" that was issued recently (and which ought to be called, "A Statement of the Neo-Traditionalist Arminian View of Salvation"), but frankly I have not had the stomach or the time to do so.   Fortunately, several faithful brothers have done what I could not do.  Let me commend to you the following.


First, a dear brother named Scott Weldon has issues this excellent response, which he calls 

My Two Cents re: "A Statement of Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God's Plan of Salvation".  I highly recommend it.

Second, Brother Tom Ascol is doing an excellent point by point analysis.   It also is highly recommended and you can find it at the Founder's Blog here. 

My many thanks, brothers, for taking the time to declare truth.

Ephesians: A Celebration of Salvation

I have, for years, had a desire to lead our church, Rockport Baptist, through a study of the Book of Ephesians.  With that study finally beginning this Sunday, I've written the following as a sort of "introduction" for our congregation.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

 To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 1:1-2 

With these words we begin what I believe will be an exciting and faith-building journey through this book of Ephesians.  It’s been called many things.  William Barclay called it “the queen of the epistles”  Another man likened it to “the Grand Canyon of Scripture”.  It’s “pure music!” says another.

But what is it about this letter that has drawn such high praise?  For surely “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” as 2 Tim 3:16 declares.  So it can’t be that this book is ”more God’s word” than some other portion of Scripture.   Yet it is here that we have, distilled into it’s purest essence, the very heart of the Gospel itself.  So let me give you three things that have been noticed about this book of Ephesians before we begin our study

(1) Someone has noted that Ephesians is intercession! 

More than any other book in the New Testament, it has the feel and quality of an extended
prayer.  As you read it, it takes hold of you and lifts you up into the very presence of God Himself in the “heavenly places” (1:3)

(2) Ephesians is exaltation

There’s a celebration going on here! This is not just some dry tome giving us our doctrine as it instructs us about the grace of God.  This is a riotous explosion of grace that brings great joy in Christ!

(3) Ephesians is evangelism

Here, in the clearest possible terms we will see again and again the great lengths and heights to which God has gone to rescue us from our sin and to bring us home safely in Christ.

That’s why I’m calling this study,   A Celebration of Salvation!  Here is something that is meant to make you rejoice as you see just how extravagant the grace of God is, that has been poured out for us sinners in Christ Jesus!!

May God give us eyes to see!   
Pastor S. Scott Lee

Grace Camp Meeting Messages

What a great time God gave us at this year's Grace Camp Meeting! Here is a link to all the messages from this three day conference at Rockport Baptist Church.

By Grace Alone: Dan Quayle Was Right (some notes on Savage and savagery)

An excellent perspective on the anti-bullying bully, Dan Savage.

By Grace Alone: Dan Quayle Was Right (some notes on Savage and savagery)